Hi All,

Is there any reason why the early C4 uses Torx bolts on runners , intake etc ??? Why can't I just replace those with standard hex head bolts?

I realize that the access angle has something to do with it but with the existance of wobble sockets etc. couldn't I just replace them all ? They've been a PITA to deal with and I've already stripped one.

Can't wait to hear the answer.
Thanks
Lee

 

You are correct. Replace them with stainless.

 

No reason to use torx. I bought a hex stainless TPI bolt kit from ebay. Easy as each bolt group isseparately packaged and labeled so no quessing.

 

Excellent! Thanks for the answers PeteK and ToniH. Let the bolt search begin :-)

 

I have a stainless hex bolt kit to, it's sweet since you can use the wobble type hex key driver with them to work on them at an angle.

 

That is a great idea!! My 86 has them all over the place. I stripped the one that is holding the cold start injector so I'm basically screwed there. I guess the only way to get it out is to drill it out? Not much room there. Any other sugestions?

 

Take a 3/8 drive extension and place it on the stripped head. Whack it with a hammer quite a few times. This helps to push the displaced metal back where it belongs. Then, take a like new torx bit and dip it valve lapping compound. This will give it "bite". I bet 1 dollar the bolt will come out if you follow these instructions to the letter.

 

Thanks PeteK I'll try that and Leefara, please accept my apologies, did mean to use your thread for my own issues.

 

Besure to use something to prevent galling like anti seize.

 

Hi guys, Senorv47, sorry to hear about the cold start injector torx bolt. I stripped my right runner top center torx bolt and was EXTREMELY pleasantly surprised when the Irwin Hanson extractor set worked on it within 15 seconds.

I bought that set in response to instructions from c4slalom4me and from hippy and IBVETN in my post last week regarding breaking the thermostat housing bolt. (bad week).
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1766682

AT the moment before I decided to use the hanson bit extractor, I realized that the button head torx bolt was already drilled by me stripping it.

I literally stuck the bit extractor into the hole and used my hand ratchet and it was out in 15 seconds. I had a HUGE smile on my face.
Never did something so cryptic work so well.

Your cold start injector bolt should behave the same way. If you stripped it, it's already drilled!

The hanson drill / extractor set I got was part 11119 I think. I got it from http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/ and they shipped it the same day.

ANyway good luck with that bolt. It's harder to get to in your case but isn't that what it's all about?

BTW, Thanks to those guys I mentioned and to staugr and vader86 for excellent advice. If it hadn't been for this forum, I'd be in jail since I would have outright punched out the chevy dealer mechanic . I dealt with the best guy in town (allegdly) joe malo who is the head corvette mechanic at koons chevrolet and realized that I know more about my car than he did. He was strictly a bolt on/replace guy and had very little finesse especially when it came to tuning. Zero. That was a terrible and expensive experience but I'll leave that for a koons bashin thread :-) Good luck!!!!